16 inspirational design tips for your home office

home office design tips

It’s great when your job is only a few steps away. A home office is true luxury – you don’t have to get up early to catch the bus and get stressed in the traffic and you can take a break whenever you feel you need it.

Another bonus is that you get to design and decorate your working space however you find appropriate. Starting from the choice of the furnishings and the rug to decorative items and paint on the walls. The only goal is for you to feel comfortable, inspired and motivated.

There are tons of great ideas out there about home office design. You just need to identify those which reflect your style and make you feel relaxed. The following design tips will definitely incite your inspiration.

Practical and beautiful

Before you invest in your home office furniture, know that there’s no point in spending money on something that won’t be functional. On the other hand, you don’t want a cold, sterile office because you opted for practical solutions that have no style or color at all.

You need to provide the workflow, above all. Identify what items need to be within your reach constantly and what can be further away or stored in cupboards. And know that home office furniture can be both functional and beautiful, so do your best to find items that serve you right and have a specific style and charm.

For example, if the rest of your home is traditional and warm, then look for furnishings with soft shapes and warm colors so that it doesn’t feel like you have stepped into a cold cubicle.

DIY a home office feature wall

Of course, the easiest way would be to go to a store and buy a wall planner or a noticeboard for your home office wall. But why not try and do your own project with some masking tape and chalk paint? Alternatively, spray paint and corkboard will come in handy if you need to pin notes. It’s not very complicated to make a chalkboard with various DIY tutorials. Some people get very creative, for example, making a blackboard calendar wall sticker to keep track of their appointments and obligations. Browse the net for a while and pick a project you think you can handle and that will fit in perfectly into the office.

Indoor plants for lively space

Studies show that you will be more prone to spend time in your home office if you fill it with indoor plants. They breathe in life into any space, they clean the air and increase your productivity. Wherever we are, we need to be connected to nature – it relaxes us, decompress us and help us breathe fresh air.

Plants are also excellent at blocking sounds from the outside so you’ll have a quieter environment to work in. And let’s not forget how beautiful they look – they are perfect decorative items. You can be as picky as you want when it comes to size, shape, pattern, and color of your home office plants. Find them a cozy spot where they can thrive. Big plants are perfect for decorating dark, boring corners while a small succulent on your desk can make you smile every time you look at them.

The right storage for a clutter-free office

You can’t avoid paperwork no matter what line of job you’re in. Proper organization of storage space is crucial so that you don’t find yourself working in a messy, cluttered office. It would clutter your mind, too, lowering your efficiency level.

Don’t just go for the standard built-in suitcase but think of what type of storage suits your line of work. If most of your paperwork comes in the form of books, then shelves are a better option for you. On the other hand, if you predominantly have files, then specific filing cabinets would serve you better.

It’s also smart to look for adaptable home office storage solutions that can be changed at any time and adjusted to your needs. Open storage is also practical because everything is accessible at all times and it’s easy to keep your documents organized.

Space-saving desk

Maybe your home office is very small and you need to utilize every inch of the space. The easiest way to do that is to get a wall-mounted desk instead of a big, regular desk. Wall-mounted, drop-down desks are perfect for tiny spaces and also when you simply don’t want anything too big. If you add an adjustable chair and freestanding storage, you’ll save a lot of space. If necessary, this “set” can be moved in any other room where you can have your mini office.

Add your artistic touch

It’s important that the images you surround yourself in your office speak to you. Vibrant art will energize your space and motivate you throughout the day.

If you’re feeling artsy, why not create your artwork and have it framed in unique, whimsical frames? Painting, drawing, coloring – do whatever you enjoy and display your work as a reminder of your inspiration.

To go a step further, consider spray painting your wall shelf or your desk for a chic effect. Simply put, you won’t find a better selection of modern accent cabinets than the collection at Nathan James.

The perfect rug

Your home office can be as comfortable and cozy as you want it, so indulge yourself with a lush, rich rug if you feel like it.

You can ground the whole space with a colorful rug that creates visual interest and absorbs sounds. Multi-colored rugs bring life into office space, especially those that come in green and orange. If that’s too much for you, go for a neutral gray rug. In case you have creamy white, plum, light blue or apricot walls, then multi-shaded patterned rugs will complement the office beautifully.

Make a twist with a ladder

If you like unorthodox solutions for your home office, then find an old ladder, repaint it and use it as a freestanding storage shelf. Place files or books on it or let it serve as a green spot for your indoor plants. Alternatively, if you’re having trouble finding enough room for your home office, a ladder wide enough can serve as a desk, too, with additional shelf above!

Get necessities and homey accessories

There are a few necessities for any home office which can also add to the overall feeling of the room.

First of all, practical workplace coffee machines come in many sizes, so get one that will fit your space and keep you alert and motivated. There’s nothing better than starting your working day with a cup of coffee or enjoy your break sipping this lovely hot beverage.

Next, using a mug for a pencil holder or getting a decorative wastebasket will ensure your home office doesn’t feel like a usual, boring working place. Your bulletin board can be wrapped in some colorful fabric while the shelves can be hidden behind curtains made from that same material. In short, make sure every detail has your signature on it.

Pick the right paint color

Colors have a huge impact on our mood, so be careful when choosing the paint color for your home office. Plain white may be tempting, but it could easily lead to a sterile environment, too often seen in regular offices. If you want your productivity to go through the roof, then go for the surprising orange. No need to go for a bright orange but stick to a stylish, moderate hue. If that’s still too much for you, then choose one of the soothing colors like grey, green or blue.

On the other hand, if you get easily distracted, then you should go for more neutral tones. Some people focus better when they are in a professionally-looking office, so light shades would be the better option in that case.

Invest in a great chair

Most of your working hours, you will be sitting in your office chair. It should fit you perfectly and provide you with support and comfort. This is the time to browse the net for the reviews, different types of ergonomic chairs and different styles. Your chair should be your biggest investment in the home office. When you narrow down your choice, test each one of the models. The level of comfort will affect your productivity and prevent any future back pains. Make sure the chair also fits in the style of the office, whether it’s a traditional office chair or a leather one.

The power of light

You need natural light to boost your mood but you don’t want it to be too bright and distract you. You should also prevent any glare from appearing on your laptop or computer. If you opt for heavy curtains or black-out blinds, you will prevent the glare but you will also sit in the dark.

Shutters, however, help you control the amount of light entering the room at any time. If you also find shutters in a statement color, you’ll also get a splash of color throughout the office when the sun is bright.

Have a view

Don’t position the desk so that you can stare at the wall, no matter how lovely its color is. It’s always better to place the desk in front of a window, so that every time you glance up from the computer, you enjoy the outdoor view. In case your space doesn’t have a window, position your desk to face the door or at least put a lovely painting or a picture on the wall in front of you.

Vertical and horizontal solutions

Most home offices don’t have a lot of space to work with, so be careful with every inch. Use space effectively, which means you need to both go horizontally and vertically. Floating shelves are excellent for storing papers and office equipment, while vertical file folders can be kept on the desk and contain papers that need to be within your reach at any time. If you’re more prone to piling documents, then opt for a basket to keep your notes, papers, and mail. In case you prefer a neat desktop, then have one drawer for papers that need to be processed. You don’t have to go for bookshelves but metal or wooden cube storage to break the simplicity.

Create a gallery wall

A gallery wall against a neutral wall is a great contrast. Choose several prints you like and arrange them on the floor first to see what look suits you most. Use removable wall strips for holding the prints, which also allow for changing the look of the wall whenever you get bored. There are cool online stores that offer cheap collections of prints, together with their recommendations according to your wall. Matting and frames are another way of making prints more personal and styled, but be aware that they come with a price.

Steal decor from other rooms

A combination of traditional and modern gives a unique look to a home office. It adds a personal touch to space, making it warmer and cozier. You can put an antique rug in the home office and add brand new red chairs. Or you can soothe the traditional impact with black and white photos.

Look for inspiration and antique items in antique stores, flea markets or on the Craigslist. Find just the right pieces, such as an antique lamp or a roll-top desk which will be matched with modern items. Try out different items and combinations until you find the perfect balance that works for you. That way, there will be a clear connection between the home office and the rest of the home but the office will still have its distinctive purpose.

Final words

Home office design ideas include time and experimenting. Don’t expect to get the perfect style with your first attempt. Be patient and playful and don’t rush the process. Add some items and throw some things out. When you spend time in the office, it will become clearer what needs to go and what’s missing. After some time, your work will be completed after you’ve realized you feel great in your office.

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